For a Ceramic Floor Tile Installation
Using The Correct Membrane Is Vital
If you have radiant heat and are planning a ceramic floor tile installation, then
understanding the function of membranes will certain be beneficial. This article will teach
you about various membranes in conjunction with radiant heat, so that your floor tile
installation will be done properly.
There have been many tragic ceramic floor tile installation disasters by using the wrong
membranes or none at all. If the membranes and/or bonding mortars are not compatible your
bond will be lost and problems will occur.
With a floor tile installation make sure your membranes meet current ANSI standards and
that manufacturers instructions are followed properly.
With floor tile installations, membranes are used for a variety of reasons, each having a
specific purpose, such as moisture vapor emission membranes, cork underlay, peel and stick
membranes and liquid or trowel applied membranes.
A load bearing, bonded, uncoupling membrane is also a full coverage membrane, but
it’s made of thicker material than the anti-fracture membrane. The air cavities that
are pressed into its surface allow for lateral movement.
A cleavage membrane is not bonded to the concrete. The function of this membrane is to
separate the tile assembly from the concrete and isolate the wire-reinforced mortar bed and
the ceramic floor tile installation from any instability in the wood or concrete
sub-floor.
A crack isolation membrane is bonded to the sub-floor to cover existing shrinkage cracks
and must cover three times the width of the floor tile used, with a minimum width of 6
inches.
An anti-fracture membrane is also bonded to the sub-floor, but this membrane needs to
fully cover the sub-floor in order to protect against shrinkage, moisture and expansion
and/or contraction of the concrete.
With a radiant heat system a moisture barrier is important in controling moisture and
stoping liquid from passing through. Always consider all of the options, because the
improper use of a membrane may trap moisture and cuase condensation.
Just remember that when you’re doing a ceramic floor tile installation make sure
that you use the correct membrane especially if you have in-floor radiant heating otherwise
you could end up with cracked tile and grout and an expensive repair bill.
-- Resource Box --
This article may be distributed freely on your website, as long as this entire article,
including links and this resource box are unchanged.
